Damon quietly laid his hand over the hands the two men were clasping so firmly.
“Then does this mark the beginning of our partnership?”
Theodore answered him.
“It does. Now that the three of us have joined forces, Truvenia will surely be conquered.”
Duke Perstein added a word as well, unwilling to be left out.
“Though the path has changed, I can still set my ambition ablaze, so I doubt I’ll feel too disappointed.”
Having finished speaking, the duke looked at Theodore.
“You should always stay on your guard. After I become emperor of Truvenia, my desire for conquest may well extend toward Arcadia again.”
“I’ll look forward to it. But when that time comes, I won’t simply let myself be defeated. Though I may not match you, I pride myself on possessing a certain degree of ability as well.”
“Shall I look forward to that, then?”
Damon shook his head from side to side as if they were beyond help.
“Isn’t this conversation between partners a bit too bloodthirsty?”
Thus the hands of the three giants who would lead the age were layered together as one.
The three men, joined together by an unexpected bond. Though they had been enemies only yesterday, they conversed so amicably that it was hard to believe.
“It will be entirely possible to gather a punitive force against Truvenia. If we send out official documents stamped with my crest alongside the imperial seal of the Crossen Empire’s emperor, even the three great powers led by Pencelut will provide knight orders and troops without objection.”
“The minor kingdoms will also dispatch punitive troops without exception. Especially the kingdoms that lost their princesses because of Belkis, wouldn’t you say?”
Hearing those words, Duke Perstein looked at Damon with a bitter smile.
“Until yesterday, I was extremely grateful to you, Damon. I thought I would have to shoulder all responsibility for this catastrophe, but you stepped forward and smoothed everything over so neatly.”
A smile flitted across Damon’s lips.
“Does that mean you aren’t grateful at all now?”
“You struck the back of my head so hard that I forgot all about it. To be honest, at the moment, I’m in a state where I’m neither grateful nor resentful.”
Damon grinned.
“That is the ideal mindset for going into partnership. Make sure that feeling never changes.”
Theodore, slipping into the conversation, looked at Duke Perstein.
“Be that as it may, there is something we must resolve first.”
A somewhat awkward smile had appeared on his face.
“In order to receive support for the punitive force, the coronation of His Highness Crown Prince De Beers is the most crucial matter. As you know, there is a tremendous difference between an official document sent directly by His Majesty the Emperor and one sent by a representative. Of course, there is no way Your Grace would be unaware of that.”
“I agree with that opinion entirely, but it feels rather strange.”
As Duke Perstein nodded, a bitter smile rose to his face. It was only natural. Until now, he had obstructed Crown Prince De Beers from ascending the throne by any means necessary. His intention had been to deny real power to the brilliant crown prince.
Of course, Theodore had clearly stood on the opposite side. Though Theodore had spared no effort to hold the coronation, regrettably, his attempts had already failed several times due to Duke Perstein’s interference. Since they both knew that situation, their positions could not help but be awkward. But Duke Perstein was never one to ruin a great cause over petty emotions in the first place.
“Very well. Then, at the nobles’ council two days from now, you should bring up the matter of the coronation yourself. At that time, I will support you with all my strength… As for the consent of the noble committee members, you need not worry at all. They may find it a little strange, but if it is my order, they will cast their votes in favor without the slightest hesitation.”
Theodore shook his head with a bitter smile.
“You already know my situation, do you not? Since I am not of noble status, by now I have likely been stripped of my position as chancellor as well.”
Duke Perstein waved his hand as if it were nothing of importance.
“That much I can handle easily. From obtaining a title to reclaiming your post as chancellor, all of it. If matters are to be handled properly, it will be far better for you to remain chancellor.”
“Indeed, if we secure the consent of more than half the members of the House of Nobles, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. After all, Your Grace already controls more than ninety percent of them, do you not?”
At Theodore’s words, Duke Perstein wore a troubled expression.
“To be honest, I still do not understand why I have to do this. Most of the members of the House of Nobles will likely think the same. Our relationship, when we were practically desperate to devour each other, has improved overnight, after all. But there is no helping it. Now that we have become partners, it is only proper to look after you from behind, so I will take appropriate measures.”
Having finished speaking, Duke Perstein gently furrowed his brow.
“By the way, how do you intend to handle Marquis Williams? As you know, he must have guessed the truth to some extent. On top of that, there is also the issue of handling the custody of the Death Knight and the Bone Dragon, so it is rather troublesome. As you know, he is an endlessly honest, stubborn blockhead. He is the sort who would not believe me even if I said bread was made from flour. But we cannot exclude him, the head of the Crossen Knight Order, from the invasion of Truvenia, can we? I have absolutely no confidence in persuading him, so you handle it as you see fit.”
There was not the slightest hesitation in Theodore’s reply.
“Understood. I will go to him and persuade Marquis Williams.”
“Do you have a proper way to persuade him?”
Theodore smiled faintly.
“I suppose I must suitably fabricate the truth. Like this. The soul of the black magician that had possessed Crown Prince Alkaris’s body has already been extinguished by the dragon’s spirit magic. However, because the dark mana he infused into His Highness the Crown Prince’s body remains, the Death Knight and the Bone Dragon still follow His Highness. I believed His Highness the Crown Prince’s true identity was that of a black magician attempting to threaten the Crossen imperial family, and tried to kill him. In the process, a misunderstanding arose, and I was arrested by Duke Perstein. Something like that. Of course, Your Grace will have to resolve the remaining issues.”
At those words, Duke Perstein looked dumbfounded.
“What remarkable imagination. With that kind of mind, it is no wonder you have tormented me all this time. In any case, are you confident you can persuade him?”
“Do not worry. If you provide proper support, I will surely persuade him.”
“Good. I will personally visit Williams and reveal that everything that has happened until now was a misunderstanding. Still, the 179 soldiers of mine who died because of your scheme will have died in vain.”
Theodore smiled bitterly.
“Please understand. Did I not also lose all three hundred assassins I had painstakingly raised? But from now on, no matter what happens, we must avoid killing one another. In order to fight against the dragon and orc allied forces, we must cherish even a single soldier.”
Duke Perstein nodded as if in agreement.
“You are right. Then I will go and set matters in motion. In any case, my division commanders are going to have quite the headache. They will have to throw away all the strategies and tactics they have devised until now and newly devise a way to deal with the orcs…”
At those words, Theodore’s eyes flashed.
“It should not be particularly difficult. First of all, Damon participated in the Race War five hundred years ago, and there is one more person who fought in that war as a member of Truvenia’s leadership at the time.”
At those words, Damon and Duke Perstein were startled. If Theodore’s words were true, that meant this person, like Damon, had lived through five hundred years. To think there was another being who had overcome the lifespan allowed to humans… But at Theodore’s next words, Duke Perstein was finally able to resolve his doubts.
“He is currently imprisoned in the basement of Your Grace’s mansion. Together with my younger siblings.”
“You mean the vampire? Then I understand. As long as they consume human blood, vampires can enjoy eternal life… In any case, that is welcome news. If, as you say, the vampire was part of Truvenia’s leadership during the Race War, it will be much easier for division commanders at every level to devise strategies and tactics.”
The duke’s words were true. Among the current division commanders of Arcadia, there was not a single one with experience fighting against orcs. Of course, they could form strategies based on past records, but those could not even be compared to tactics grounded in firsthand combat experience. Moreover, had he not said that this was someone who had belonged to the leadership devising strategy?
“Then should we release the vampire immediately?”
Theodore silently shook his head.
“No. He is far too dangerous an existence to release rashly. I will go and speak with him first. So Your Grace need only take measures to allow that.”
“I will do so.”
Having finished speaking, Duke Perstein rose. Because the method of fulfilling his ambition had changed, there was far too much to prepare. He had to completely revise the strategies he had devised until now to conquer Arcadia.
“Then I will take my leave. For now, I will take measures for everything you asked of me. If you need help, tell me separately. I will make sure it is known that relations with you have improved, so the Duke Knights will not rashly treat you as an enemy.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Duke Perstein nodded silently, opened the door, and went outside. Only Damon and Theodore remained in the room. Theodore looked at Damon with an indescribable gaze.
“Things have truly worked out ideally. This is all thanks to you, Damon. How am I supposed to repay this debt?”
Damon waved his hand dismissively.
“What are you talking about? I am simply overjoyed that I can help you. Of course, even this will not repay even one-hundredth of the grace Master bestowed upon me…”
Perhaps sensing Damon’s feelings toward his master, Theodore grew solemn. Looking at Theodore, Damon wore an expression of surprise.
“By the way, you truly are an extraordinary person. To turn a political enemy you opposed for so long into a partner in the blink of an eye. I am even feeling a trace of fear toward you now.”
Theodore smiled bitterly.
“Duke Perstein is a truly outstanding figure. Though he was my political enemy, I have always respected his abilities.”
“In my eyes, your abilities are even more outstanding. You completely erased your hostile relationship until now and easily persuaded him with that silver tongue of yours. There are not many people who could do such a thing.”
Theodore, looking troubled, changed the subject.
“It was because our interests happened to align. Be that as it may, there is something I urgently need you to do, Damon.”
“What is it?”
An awkward smile appeared on Theodore’s face.
“I believe you must enter the palace with me. We need to meet His Highness Crown Prince De Beers. As you know, Damon, you must treat His Highness Crown Prince De Beers in the capacity of his elder brother.”
Damon wore a somewhat reluctant expression.
“Is there really any need for me to meet that fellow?”
“There is. Upon hearing that his elder brother had appeared, His Highness the Crown Prince has been insisting that he will not ascend the throne. Even normally, he had no desire for the throne, but it seems what happened this time has only strengthened his resolve.”
“Is it a woman problem?”
At Damon’s abrupt remark, Theodore’s eyes grew as round as saucers.
“H-how did you know?”
“What else could disturb a young man’s heart but a woman? Since ancient times, women have been bewitching creatures who cloud the hearts of heroes. Very well. Since it is your request, I will go and meet this fellow De Beers. If he does not listen, I will beat him until I make him comply, so don’t worry.”
“B-beating him is a little…”
Damon was in no mood to yield.
“Since ancient times, no man has been strong before a beating. As a member of the imperial family, he has probably never been struck before, so this should be even easier. Lead the way.”
As Damon was rising to his feet, he suddenly seemed to remember something, and his eyes gleamed.
“Ah, what did you say the name of that vampire fellow who experienced the Race War was?”
Theodore scratched the back of his head with a troubled expression.
“I-I do not know either. He said he had buried it in the shadows of history long ago, and would not tell me his name at all…”
“Then there is nothing to be done. A figure from the same era as me… I do hope it is someone I know.”
Damon strode forward with long, loose steps. Theodore followed behind him, the worry still not gone from his face.